OK, I don't want to look like a bore posting links to videos made by Benjamin Hart (as this has been done before), because he's otherwise a fairly good guy, but I think the analysis he has made about the DTV and general working authorization is a little bit off base. This time he even seems to have a problem with the Pattaya Mail article he quotes from, which he would previously constantly praise.

He claims that the reason DTV holders can't get bank accounts (for the most part...though exceptions still seem to exist here and there) is because it's "not work authorized". Well, LOL - the elite/privilege and retirement visas aren't work authorized either and yet you need a bank account to qualify for a retirement extension, so there's already one flaw in his argument. Also, consulates and embassies abroad allow you to show your proof of funds in a Thai bank account, not to mention some immigration offices insist on sighting the 500K needed for a 6 month in-country extension in a Thai bank account!

Secondly, even if not all stakeholders agreed on the terms of the DTV, but the DTV DOES allow for working remotely. Like the retirement and privilege visas, it's a "employment prohibited" visa, but all that means is you can't work in Thailand for a Thailand based entity. You CAN work for a foreign entity that does not impinge on the Thai economy and has no relationship with Thailand.

Benjamin seems to be implying that the authorities aren't going after digital nomads and remote workers, but that it's still not officially allowed. Well, according to this logic, if the Thai authorities did arrest digital nomads for doing exactly what they qualified for to get their visas, then the publicity would turn off millions of potential visitors / remote workers and have a long-lasting negative impact on the economy.

There may be some grey areas with respect to YouTubing in Thailand, but I'm not going to get into that. Most of us work for companies based abroad that have nothing to do with YouTube and that's what this analysis has been about.

His last point about the DTV supposedly being for those who want to come and go but not live in Thailand for 5 years (with appropriate border runs) is also off base. So far, there is nothing to suggest that isn't allowed. In that respect, it's nothing like the US B-1 visas he references or other similar types, such as those 10 year multiple entry ones Thai nationals receive...which in practice, are supposed to be for occasional short visits or one longer visit not exceeding 6 months, followed by an extended absence before coming again. For Thailand, no need to do that, because you can just spend 60-90 days on an exemption, leave for a year and come back to do the same, no need for a DTV then.

Hi I was about to book my flights back to Thailand iv just been told I can only visit 2 times in one year iv already been twice will I be denied entry

Hi all, wondering if anyone is having a similar experience with imigration? Both my wife & I have long term retirement visas and have had for over 3 years. We have left & returned to Thailand a number of times. During that time we have successfully done our 90 day reporting online. Our visas were renewed in April 2024 and at the same time imigration renewed our 90 day reporting. We have just been rejected for online renewal and referred to the imigration office here in Phuket. They are telling us that because we were out of the country in January we need to resubmit our address details even though we have been living in the same property since we received our original visa and they issued the last 90 day clearance in April after we returned to Thailand from the trip which they are telling us has triggered the need to reconfirm our address. We are being told that we will need to resubmit confirmation of address every time we return from overseas even if we are returning to the same, continuously rented, property.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Can anyone tell me for sure if you can apply for one year extension 30 or 45 days before your present visa expire, in Jomtien Soi 5?

I need short advice. I live in Thailand since many years. I am on a one year retirement visum combined with a multientry visum.

Do I have to report my address every time when I come back from an international trip of a month.

I stay in the same house every time.

Hi, can we bring parents as dependents to Thailand if we are here on one of the following

1) Ed visa or

2) work visa

I have a US passport. if I come in now without a visa I know it’s 45 days. Can I extend it at immigration?

Do I need a visa to come in if I want to do a ED visa?

Hello,

I came here two months ago with TR60 Visa and have a 30 days extension.

Which options do I have to extend again?

Covid extension? In this case I have at least the 7 days under consideration? So I have to leave maybe on day 7?

Are there any other options I can do or try?

Thanks in advance.

Hello, when my education visa finishes in late February, is it possible, if the Covid extension is not extended, to get an extension based on visiting Thai family instead? This would give the 40k baht that I deposited last week time to season. Yes, I am married to a Thai lady. Thanks.

For AMERICANS, are we supposed to have the flight, the ASQ hotel, and the covid insurance booked before we can submit an application for the TR Visa and the COE? The only application is not letting me submit it without those documents. 🤔 Thank you

Update:

The reply I received from thaiembdc.org said:

YES, flight confirmation and insurance are required before applying for visa/COE.

I believe the ASQ can wait until after visa, but before COE, but not 100% on this.